Saint Andrews Brew Co. Wharfbound 19k & 11k & 5k (Year 5)

Back for year number five! The Wharfbound race is a one-of-a-kind run against the tide, following a course made up of sand, rocks, seaweed mud and road (not necessarily in that order).

NEW THIS YEAR: We've added a new, shorter distance: the 5km Seafoam Scramble. A more accessible and shorter route, the 5km Seafoam Scramble is an out-and-back course that follows the beach, departing from Market Wharf, continuing past Pottery Cove and on to a turnaround spot below the iconic 12th hole of the Algonquin golf course (where once stood another wharf many years ago).

The event takes place during Paddlefest Arts and Music Festival with a provisional entry cap of 150 runners.

All runners must have proper footwear (trail running shoes with good support and protection from rocks and to provide traction on the slippery surfaces) and must carry a cell phone in case of emergency on the remote sections of this challenging course.

Runners will have to choose their own path along the wide expanse of beach at the start, which will allow for self-seeding in the first mile. The mix of rock, seaweed, sand, and mud make beach running particularly challenging, yet unique. Poles or a piece of driftwood come in very handy.

This event takes place at times dictated by the outgoing/incoming tide. All athletes will start on the West side of Market Wharf, proceed on the beach for the first mile to Pottery Creek, where there will be a split: 5km runners will stay left along the beach and continue on to the turnaround spot below the 12th hole of the Algonquin golf course, returning to the wharf on the same route; 11km and 19km runners will jump up onto pavement for the next 2 miles from Brandy Cove Road to Marine Science Drive. Then, crossing Bayview Drive to Cornelia St and Mowat Drive, runners run down the Bar Road, and starting at mile 3, cross over the tidal bar to Minister’s Island (19km) or turn right and follow the beach towards Saint Andrews Point Peninsula. The remainder of the run is entirely on the beach. Beach Maps provided at start, with on course officials at any intersection where you might lose your way.

19km: Once on Minister's Island, runners will stay on the beach and circumnavigate the tidal island in a clockwise direction. When they have run the perimeter of Minister's Island and return to the mainland, they will stay on the beach and continue south to the Saint Andrews Point and peninsula until they arrive back at the East side of the Wharf near the starting location.

Runners will depart in a mass start. The full 19km Wharfbound Beach Run takes an average of about 2.0-3.0 hours; the 11km Mayor's Shortcut takes roughly 1.0-2.0 hours. The 5km Seafoam Scramble should take roughly 30-60 minutes. The Minister’s Island Crossover opening time on May 17, 2025 is expected to be about 8:00am. All 19km runners must complete the circuit around Minister's Island and be back across the tidal bar by 12:00 pm due to the incoming tide. Runners who don't make it before the incoming tide will be stranded on the island for 6 hours (or they can call in and be rescued by boat).

Insurance and Safety:

Runners will need to check in by 8:00am for instructions.
All runners need to be in possession of a cellphone and have proper sturdy trail running shoes.
The Saint Andrews Fire Department and Charlotte County Ground Search and Rescue are providing runner support with a sweep vehicle and boat rescue services if needed. An emergency number will be provided at the race start and cell phones are required for all runners.

Post-race refreshments and sweet swag will be sponsored by our good friends at the Saint Andrews Brewing Company at the end of the race.

NOTE: we won't be processing refunds this year. Runners that can't make the race will be given the option to defer to the following year.